Consumer participation has been described as 'the active
participation of people who, because they have used services or are
potential service users, can bring their knowledge and experience
to contribute to the design, planning, delivery and evaluation of
services'. (Voices on Choices: working towards consumer-led
alcohol and drug treatment, Anglicare Tasmania, Social Action and
Research Centre, July 2010.)
There are currently various levels of consumer participation
activities and initiatives within the non government drug and
alcohol sector. Extensive work has been carried out in the
area on a national level by the Australian Injecting and Illicit
Drug Users League (AIVL) under
the Treatment Service Users (TSU) Project to describe
opportunities, experiences, activities and support for consumer
participation in treatment services. NADA has used the
learnings from the TSU Project to inform its work in this
important area.
At a state level, NADA has been working with the New South Wales
Users & AIDS Association Inc (NUAA) to increase consumer
participation practices in the non government drug and alcohol
sector. NUAA is the peak drug
user organisation in the state.
Service User Participation Scoping Report July
2011
NADA commissioned LMS Consulting to undertake the above
scoping report. The recommendations included in the report
have been guiding NADAs work in the area.
Consumer Participation Forum Report July 2014
A report on forum held by in July 2014 in partnership with
NUAA and The Lyndon Community.
NADA has developed a Consumer Participation Audit Tool to assist in
describing the level of participation currently occurring at your
service. It will also help identify activities which create greater
levels of consumer participation.
NADA has also developed a Consumer Participation Consent Form to support
organisations engage with consumers about the level of
participation they are interested in.
A consumer participation policy template is currently in
development and will be available in version 2 of the NADA Policy
Toolkit due for release in the coming months.
Also, check out the Consumer Participation of issue of the NADA Advocate (Sept 14).
Useful resources
Guidelines
A Guide to Consumer Participation in NSW Drug and
Alcohol Services
This NSW Ministry of Health guide from 2005, provides a set of
principles to assist staff in facilitating consumer access to drug
and alcohol services in NSW. The guide contains background
information and guiding principles as well as information around
planning for consumer participation and possible strategies that
could be implemented. These guidelines are currently under
review.
Reports
Treatment Service Users Project (TSU) Phase One
Report
Treatment Service Users Project (TSU) Phase Two
Final Report
Voices on choices: working towards consumer-led
alcohol and drug treatment
Nothing About Us Without Us Report
Organisations
Australian
Injecting and Illicit Drug Users League (AIVL)
AIVL is the national peak organisation representing the state
and territory drug user organisations and issues of national
significance for people who use or have used illicit drugs.
New South
Wales Users and AIDS Association Inc (NUAA)
NUAA advances the rights and dignity of people who use drugs
illicitly in NSW.
Association of Participating Service Users
(APSU)
The Association of Participating Service Users is a Victorian
organisation which represents consumers of drug and alcohol
services.
NSW Consumer
Advisory Group Mental Health Inc (NSW CAG)
NSW CAG is a state wide organisation that provides an ongoing
opportunity for mental health consumers to participate in policy
and service development, implementation and evaluation.
Local and international resources
Straight from the Source: A Practical Guide to
Consumer Participation in the Victorian Alcohol and Other Drug
Sector.
The Peer Model Manual: The manual contains
three modules - Peer Helper Training; Experts by Experience and
Speakers Bureau. Each module addresses a specific way in which
consumers can be involved in the sector.
Consumer Participation Resource Kit
The Consumer Participation Resource Kit from Victoria contains
information on ways to engage with service users, to listen to
their views and to develop strategies based on their advice with
the aim of improving service provision.
Consumer and Peer Roles in the Addiction
Sector (NZ)
This document creates discussion around the roles and activities
of the consumer and peer workforce in New Zealand.
Consumers Contribute to the Addiction Sector in
More Ways Than One (NZ)
A factsheet to introduce the addiction sector, and other allied
sectors, to existing and newly emerging consumer and peer roles
within addiction treatment.
Involving Service Users Toolkit (UK)
Drug User Involvement in Treatment Decisions
(UK)
This report discusses the involvement of drug users in making
decisions about their treatment.